Tom Daley Opens Up About Loneliness, Grief, And Quietly Helping Closeted Athletes
Olympic gold medallist Tom Daley has never been one to shy away from tough conversations. In a recent interview on the Just For Variety podcast by Variety, the British diver, who celebrated his 31st birthday on 21 May, opened up about life after competition, the emotional weight of losing his father, and why he continues to offer quiet support to athletes who haven’t yet come out.
A Life in the Spotlight, On His Terms
Daley’s new documentary Tom Daley: 1.6 Seconds gives a raw look at his life, from growing up in the UK to Olympic success, his move to Los Angeles, and fatherhood with husband and Milk screenwriter Dustin Lance Black. Available on Discovery Plus and Olympics.com, the film also traces the impact of his father’s death and how that grief shaped him.
“There were times I needed to stop filming,” Daley told Variety, especially when watching old footage of his dad. “He was my biggest cheerleader… he was there for every training session, every competition.” Losing him, he said, was one of the hardest parts of his life. Watching his younger self pretend to be okay for the cameras stirred up memories of how much he had bottled things up. “I didn’t want to bother anyone with how I was feeling,” he said. “If there’s one thing I hope people take from the documentary, it’s that it’s OK to lean on others.”
Helping Athletes Who Feel Alone
Since coming out at 19, Daley has quietly become a touchpoint for closeted athletes looking for advice. “I always say to them that I can be there as a sounding board,” he said. “It can be a very lonely experience.” He acknowledges the risks that athletes face, especially in countries where coming out could be dangerous. While he never pushes anyone, he makes it clear they’re not alone.
Body Expectations and the Pressure to Stay “Olympic Fit”
Now retired from competition, Daley spoke candidly about his ongoing struggles with body image. “Someone once told me my body was changing, that I wasn’t as lean or toned,” he recalled. The comment stuck. “I’ve gone from training six hours a day to figuring out a new routine… I know rationally I’m fine, but part of me knows what I used to look like at my peak. That’s a tough thing to unlearn.”
Looking Back, and What Comes Next
Daley’s reflections are grounded and honest. His reasons for doing the documentary were personal: a way to preserve memories for his kids. “This is what Papa did,” he said. “They’ll be able to see the relationship I had with my dad.”
As for who could play him in a film version of his life? “Tom Holland,” Daley said with a grin. “He’s got the gymnastic vibe.” For his husband, the choice was Joel Kinnaman.
With Pride Month around the corner, Daley left listeners with a reminder: “It’s about remembering where we came from, and continuing the fight for freedom.”
